Biopsy device with vacuum assisted bleeding control

ABSTRACT

A biopsy device and method are provided for obtaining a tissue sample, such as a breast tissue biopsy sample. The biopsy device includes a disposable probe assembly with an outer cannula having a distal piercing tip, a cutter lumen, and a cutter tube that rotates and translates past a side aperture in the outer cannula to sever a tissue sample. The biopsy device also includes a reusable hand piece with an integral motor and power source to make a convenient, untethered control for use with ultrasonic imaging. External vacuum holes along the outer cannula (probe) that communicate with a vacuum and cutter lumen withdraw bodily fluids while a hemostatic disk-shaped ring pad around the probe applies compression to an external hole in the skin and absorbs fluids.

PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/025,366, entitled “Biopsy Device with Vacuum Assisted Bleeding Control,” filed Feb. 11, 2011, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/424,576, entitled “Biopsy Device with Vacuum Assisted Bleeding Control,” filed Jun. 16, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,804, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/198,558, entitled “Biopsy Device with Replaceable Probe and Incorporating Vibration Insertion Assist and Static Vacuum Source Sample Stacking Retrieval,” filed Aug. 5, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,867,173, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to biopsy devices, and more particularly to biopsy devices having a cutter for severing tissue, and even more particularly to biopsy devices for multiple sampling with a probe remaining inserted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a suspicious tissue mass is discovered in a patient's breast through examination, ultrasound, MRI, X-ray imaging or the like, it is often necessary to perform a biopsy procedure to remove one or more samples of that tissue in order to determine whether the mass contains cancerous cells. A biopsy may be performed using an open or percutaneous method.

An open biopsy is performed by making a large incision in the breast and removing either the entire mass, called an excisional biopsy, or a substantial portion of it, known as an incisional biopsy. An open biopsy is a surgical procedure that is usually done as an outpatient procedure in a hospital or a surgical center, involving both high cost and a high level of trauma to the patient. Open biopsy carries a relatively higher risk of infection and bleeding than does percutaneous biopsy, and the disfigurement that sometimes results from an open biopsy may make it difficult to read future mammograms. Further, the aesthetic considerations of the patient make open biopsy even less appealing due to the risk of disfigurement. Given that a high percentage of biopsies show that the suspicious tissue mass is not cancerous, the downsides of the open biopsy procedure render this method inappropriate in many cases.

Percutaneous biopsy, to the contrary, is much less invasive than open biopsy. Percutaneous biopsy may be performed using fine needle aspiration (FNA) or core needle biopsy. In FNA, a very thin needle is used to withdraw fluid and cells from the suspicious tissue mass. This method has an advantage in that it is very low-pain, so low-pain that local anesthetic is not always used because the application of it may be more painful than the FNA itself. However, a shortcoming of FNA is that only a small number of cells are obtained through the procedure, rendering it relatively less useful in analyzing the suspicious tissue and making an assessment of the progression of the cancer less simple if the sample is found to be malignant.

During a core needle biopsy, a small tissue sample is removed allowing for a pathological assessment of the tissue, including an assessment of the progression of any cancerous cells that are found. The following patent documents disclose various core biopsy devices and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,862 issued Aug. 14, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,231,522 issued May 15, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,228,055 issued May 8, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,462 issued Sep. 19, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,544 issued Jul. 11, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,230 issued Jun. 20, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,316 issued Jan. 25, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,497 issued Dec. 28, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,469 issued Nov. 9, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,716 issued Oct. 12, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,164 issued Jul. 27, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,333 issued Jul. 7, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,086 issued Jun. 23, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,547 issued Jul. 22, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,822 issued Jun. 18, 1996; and US Patent Application 2003/0199753 published Oct. 23, 2003 to Hibner et al.

At present, a biopsy instrument marketed under the trade name MAMMOTOME is commercially available from ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC. for use in obtaining breast biopsy samples. These devices generally retrieve multiple core biopsy samples from one insertion into breast tissue with vacuum assistance. In particular, a cutter tube is extended into a probe to cut tissue prolapsed into a side aperture under vacuum assistance and then the cutter tube is fully retracted between cuts to extract the sample.

With a long probe, the rate of sample taking is limited not only by the time required to rotate or reposition the probe but also by the time needed to translate the cutter. As an alternative to this “long stroke” biopsy device, a “short stroke” biopsy device is described in the following commonly assigned patent applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/676,944, “Biopsy Instrument with Internal Specimen Collection Mechanism” filed Sep. 30, 2003 in the name of Hibner et al.; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/732,843, “Biopsy Device with Sample Tube” filed Dec. 10, 2003 in the name of Cicenas et al. The cutter is cycled across the side aperture, reducing the sample time. Several alternative specimen collection mechanisms are described that draw samples through the cutter tube, all of which allow for taking multiple samples without removing the probe from the breast.

The vacuum assistance presented at the side aperture provides a further benefit of reducing the accumulation of bodily fluids around the probe that may tend to interfere with taking a diagnostic image, may impede subsequent insufflation and marker deployment, leave an undesirable hematoma at the biopsy site, and/or result in external bleeding that is a biohazard and may increase the patient's discomfort.

While these multiple sample core biopsy instruments have numerous advantages, it is believed that the diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities of core biopsy procedures would be more widely used if bleeding associated with a larger core biopsy probe were controlled and/or reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses these and other problems of the prior art by providing a biopsy device and method that has a probe that is inserted into tissue to obtain a core biopsy sample by translating a cutter with the probe. Bleeding and fluid management is facilitated by a plurality of external holes in the probe that communicate through the probe tube to a vacuum supply. Thereby hematomas or external bleeding from around the probe, that would otherwise degrade diagnostic imaging or present other complications, is mitigated.

In one aspect of the invention, a biopsy device hand piece has a motorized translation and rotation drive mechanism that engages and operates a disposable probe assembly that includes the probe tube with the plurality of external holes. A cutter tube acts as the cutter translating with the probe tube, severing tissue that is prolapsed into the probe tube also under the urging from the vacuum supply.

In another aspect of the invention, a hemostatic ring pad is engageable to the probe tube to contact the skin during the biopsy procedure around an insertion point to reduce external bleeding.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed the same will be better understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric, inverted view of a biopsy device including a disposable probe assembly incorporating bleeding fluid management and including a detached reusable hand piece with a housing depicted in phantom and diagrammatically attached to a vacuum canister and vacuum supply.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the biopsy device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric right-side detail view of a distal portion of the biopsy device of FIG. 1 with the disposable probe assembly mounted to the reusable hand piece and having a probe with a piercing tip rotatably attached to a probe tube.

FIG. 4 is a front isometric view of the hemostatic ring pad of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a back isometric view of the hemostatic ring pad of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a right isometric view of a distal portion of an alternate cylindrical probe with a “soft-walled” vacuum lumen formed by an off-center cutter tube and a freely rotating piercing tip for the biopsy device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a right side view in longitudinal vertical cross section through lines 7-7 of the alternate cylindrical probe of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front view taken in transverse cross section along lines 8-8 of the probe of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an aft view taken in transverse cross section along lines 9-9 of the probe of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an isometric exploded view of the disposable probe assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a left side view in elevation taken in longitudinal cross section through a probe for the disposable probe assembly of FIG. 1 inserted into tissue.

FIG. 12 is an isometric exploded view of the reusable hand piece of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the assembled biopsy device of FIG. 1 taken in horizontal cross section through the probe.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the probe having dimpled external vacuum holes formed on the disposable probe assembly of FIG. 1 with a piercing tip omitted and a cutter tube detached.

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of an alternate probe having a plurality of longitudinal rows of external vacuum holes for the disposable probe assembly of FIG. 1 with a piercing tip omitted and a cutter tube detached also having a plurality of longitudinal rows of holes.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of another alternate probe having a longitudinally spaced plurality of transverse external vacuum slots for the disposable probe assembly of FIG. 1 with a piercing tip omitted and a cutter tube detached also having a plurality of longitudinally spaced plurality of transverse holes.

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of an additional alternate probe having a plurality of longitudinal external vacuum slots aligned into radially spaced longitudinal rows for the disposable probe assembly of FIG. 1 with a piercing tip omitted and a cutter tube detached also having a plurality of longitudinal slots.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a further alternate probe having a plurality of parallel, spiraled external vacuum slots for the disposable probe assembly of FIG. 1 with a piercing tip omitted and a cutter tube detached also having a plurality of spiraled slots.

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of yet another additional alternate probe having a plurality of longitudinal rows of reduced diameter external vacuum holes for the disposable probe assembly of FIG. 1 with a piercing tip omitted and a cutter tube detached also having a plurality of longitudinal rows of reduced diameter holes.

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of yet a further alternative probe having a plurality of longitudinal rows of external vacuum holes with diameters graduated with relation to longitudinal distance along the shaft for the disposable probe assembly of FIG. 1 with a piercing tip omitted.

FIG. 21 is a left side view of the probe of FIG. 15 in longitudinal vertical cross section and inserted into tissue with cutter tube advanced to close a side aperture and with a sample retraction straw with internal indicator tube retracted exposing internal vacuum holes partially aligned with external vacuum holes.

FIG. 22 is a left side view of the probe of FIG. 20 in longitudinal vertical cross section with the cutter tube retracted and vacuum assistance prolapsing tissue into the side aperture and removing bleeding around the probe.

FIG. 23 is a left side view of the probe of FIG. 22 in longitudinal vertical cross section with the cutter tube advanced to sever a tissue sample.

FIG. 24 is a left side view of the probe of FIG. 23 in longitudinal vertical cross section with the cutter tube advanced a second time severing a second tissue sample with a sample retraction straw advanced within the cutter tube to capture both tissue samples, the latter urging the indicator tube aft.

FIG. 25 is an isometric short aperture sleeve with adjustable hemostatic ring for the biopsy device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 26 is a left side view of the probe of FIG. 6 in longitudinal cross section with the cutter tube advanced to sever a second tissue sample close to the skin with a side aperture sleeve with adjustable hemostatic ring to avoid skin gouging by the cutter tube.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1-2, a biopsy device 10 has a reusable hand piece 11 and a disposable probe assembly 12 that enables economical taking of multiple percutaneous core biopsy samples through a core biopsy needle (probe) 13 that is inserted into tissue. With particular reference to FIG. 1, vacuum assisted multiple tissue sample biopsy and retrieval is enabled by a vacuum source 14 (e.g., standard medical vacuum pump or wall-mounted vacuum access port). Advantageously, bleeding and fluid management is enhanced by drawing fluid through external vacuum holes 15 formed distally in the probe 13 of the disposable probe assembly 12 through a first interfacing vacuum conduit 16 a which connects the vacuum source 14 to a first port 17 a of a vacuum canister 18 for catching extracted fluids and a second interfacing vacuum conduit 16 b which connects a second port 17 b of the vacuum canister 18 to the disposable probe assembly 12.

In FIGS. 3-5, bleeding and fluid management is further enhanced by proximally positioning a disk-shaped hemostatic ring pad 19 over the probe 13 positioned away from a housing 20 of the reusable hand piece 11 to abut an external opening formed through the skin (not shown). A front absorbent surface 19 a of the hemostatic ring pad 19 absorbs fluid and resiliently contacts the skin. An opaque and impermeable back surface (e.g., dark thermoplastic) 19 b of the hemostatic ring pad 19 supports the front absorbent surface 19 a, obscures patient view of absorbed blood, and completes a pneumatic seal over the opening. The hemostatic ring pad 19 may frictionally engage the probe 13. In order to accommodate a range of sizes of probes 13, a through hole may be formed by inserting the probe 13 through the hemostatic ring pad 19. For instance, the sterility of the absorbent material may be maintained by packing that is adhesively attached to a front outer ring of the back surface 19 b. The remaining adhesive may facilitate placement of the hemostatic ring pad at a desired insertion point on the skin, a scored central portion of the hemostatic ring pad 19 helps locate the insertion point of the probe 13.

It should be appreciated that although the illustrative version is disk-shaped, it a hemostatic pad consistent with aspects of the present invention may have various geometric shapes. In addition, the absorbent material may be omitted relying upon compression asserted by the back surface. Alternatively, the backing may be omitted relying solely upon absorption or the inherent stiffness of the absorbent material. Further, in some applications it may be desired not to use an opaque backing material but rather a translucent or transparent material so as to view the amount of external bleeding. As an alternative to the hemostatic ring pad 19 frictionally engaging the probe 13, locking features may be incorporated between a hemostatic ring pad and a probe to locking the hemostatic ring pad at a proximal position indicating full insertion.

Returning to FIGS. 1-2, in the illustrative version, the hand piece 11 is self-powered and suitable for use in conjunction with ultrasonic diagnostic imaging. The disposable probe assembly 12 reduces the portion of biopsy device 10 that requires protective packaging to avoid contact with sharp surfaces and to keep it sterile prior to use. Further economy is accomplished by reducing the portion of the biopsy device 10 that is disposed as medical waste between uses. Movable components of the disposable probe assembly 12 are advantageously locked until mounted in an access trough 21 (FIG. 1) formed in the housing 20 of the reusable hand piece 11. It should be appreciated that one or more standard mechanical, pneumatic, or electrical latches (not shown) may be integrated into the biopsy device 10 to secure the disposable probe assembly 12 to the reusable hand piece 11.

In FIGS. 1-3 and 10-11, the disposable probe assembly 12 includes a substantially rectangular cover 22 sized to close the access trough recess 21 (FIG. 1). An end slot 24 formed in the housing 20 is closed by a probe union sleeve 26 attached to an inner surface 27 of the substantially rectangular cover 22. The core biopsy needle (“probe”) assembly 13 passes longitudinally through the probe union sleeve 26 and is formed by a probe tube 30 with underlying vacuum lumen 32 that communicates with a side aperture 34 through inter lumen holes 35 (FIG. 11) near a distal opening 36 of the probe tube 30 that is closed by a piercing tip 38. A cutter tube 40 is sized to closely fit and translate within an inner diameter (i.e., cutter lumen) of the probe tube 30. Cutter holes 39 near a distal end 41 of the cutter tube 40 may be included allow bleeding and fluid management through the cutter tube 40. The cutter tube 40 has a longitudinal length sufficient to close the side aperture 34 with a proximal end 42 extending from the probe union sleeve 26 to attach to a cutter gear 44, as depicted in FIGS. 2, 10. This non-cylindrical probe 13 includes one passage that passes through the cutter tube 40 that is encompassed closely by the probe tube 30 and includes a “hard-walled” vacuum (lateral) lumen 32 that is under slung and attached to the probe tube 30, communicating with the other passage proximate to the side aperture 34.

In FIGS. 6-9, an alternate cylindrical probe 13′ for the disposable probe assembly 12 of FIG. 1 advantageously incorporates a piercing tip 38′ attached at a proximal circular external recess 37′ (FIG. 7) for free rotation about its longitudinal axis to a distal opening in a probe tube 30′. Thereby, desired non-conical cutting surfaces may be incorporated that reduce the insertion forces that do not impede rotation of the probe tube 30′. With particular reference to FIG. 7, the cylindrical distal end of the probe tube 30′ ends in an outer race 46′ proximal to a recessed lip 47′. The piercing tip 38′ is formed by a cylindrical base 48′ attached to a split cone tip 49′ that receives a triangular blade 51′ held by beveled pin 59′. A cylindrical collar 53′ grips the cylindrical base 48′ and has proximal inward lip 55′ that resides within the outer race 46′ of the probe tube 30′. A bearing 57′ between the recessed lip 47′ of the probe tube 30′ and the cylindrical base 48′ of the piercing tip 38′ enhances low friction rotation. Thus, a cutting surface such as the triangular blade 51′ may be selected for reduced insertion force, etc., yet not impede rotation of the side aperture 34′ of the probe tube 30′.

In this illustrative version, an axially off-center cutter tube 40′ (FIGS. 7-8) within the probe tube 30′ acts as a “soft-wall”, defining first and second fluid passages that are separated longitudinally within the probe tube 30′ that distally communicate with each other at a side aperture 34′ formed in the probe tube 30′. A first fluid passage is defined within the cutter tube 40′ and the second fluid passage is defined within the probe tube 30′ but outside of cutter tube 40′. Fluid communication between the fluid passages is enhanced by a concave proximal end 43′ of piercing tip 38′ and cutter holes 39′.

Bleeding and fluid management is also enhanced by a central fluid cavity 61′ that communicates between the distal opening 36′ of the probe tube 30′ and small fluid passages 45′ formed in the split cone tip 49′ of the piercing tip 38′ that transition from the concave proximal end 43′ to an exterior of the piercing tip 38′.

With particular reference to FIG. 10, proximal to the probe union sleeve 26 is an elongate slot 50 that is part of a vacuum assist valve assembly 52. The cutter gear 44 includes distal and proximal annular recesses 54, 56 flanking spur gear teeth 58 that engage the reusable hand piece 11 as described below. A more distal annular recess 60 is gripped by a post 62 that is engaged to longitudinally translate in an elongate post slot 64 of a distal portion 66 of a vacuum valve actuator 68. A cylindrical proximal portion 70 of the vacuum valve actuator 68 has distal and proximal O-ring grooves 72, 73 that respectively retain distal and proximal dynamic O-ring seals 74, 75 that move within a distally open cylindrical valve bore 76 of a valve body 78 molded onto an outer surface 79 of the substantially rectangular cover 22 (FIG. 1).

With particular reference to FIG. 1, as described and depicted in the cross referenced patent application Ser. No. 11/198,558 incorporated by reference above, the vacuum valve actuator 68 selectively allows communication between a proximal port 80, a center port 82, and a distal port 84 (FIG. 2). In particular, with the cutter gear 44 retracted, the proximal and center ports 80, 82 are in communication. With the cutter gear translated distally, the center and distal ports 82, 84 communicate. The center port 82 is attached to a distal vacuum conduit 86 whose other end is connected through the rectangular cover 22 to the probe union sleeve 26. It should be appreciated that the probe union sleeve 26 includes pneumatic passages that communicate between a proximal end of the vacuum lumen 32 and the distal vacuum conduit 86. The distal port 84 is attached to a hose nib 88 that is exposed to atmospheric pressure. Hose nib 88 may include an air and/or saline filter. Alternatively, hose nib 88 may be connected to a positive pressure source (e.g., fluid pump) or a negative pressure source (e.g., vacuum pump, syringe) to aspirate fluids. Likewise, hose nib 88 may be used to lavage the tissue cavity with saline, pain medication, or bleeding control fluids. The proximal port 80 communicates through a proximal vacuum conduit 90 to the interfacing vacuum conduit 16 a.

It should be appreciated that any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein, will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

With further reference to FIGS. 2-3 and 10-11, a sample extraction feature is incorporated so that multiple samples may be made without the need to remove the probe 13 from tissue nor even to full retract the cutter tube 40 to retract a tissue specimen to the reusable hand piece 11. With particular reference to FIG. 10, this feature is accomplished with a stacking straw assembly 100. An elongate straw 102 is scored down its length on opposite sides by grooves 104 defining first and second straw halves 106, 108, whose respective proximal, outer surfaces 110, 112 are attached to triangular grips 114, 116, respectively. A locking strip 118 extends distally from one triangular grip 114 and is attached along a proximal portion of the first straw half 106.

Distal and proximal tabs 120, 122 extend from the inner surface 27 of the substantially rectangular cover 22, each having a respective through hole 124, 126 through which the stacking straw assembly 100 is inserted. The through holes 124, 126 are shaped to allow the locking strip 118 to rotate ninety (90) degrees. A bayonet locking member 130 also extends from the inner surface 27 of the substantially rectangular cover 22 just distal and laterally offset from the through hole 124 of the distal tab 120 to lock into an alignment locking slot 132 in the locking strip 118 when laterally rotated. The bayonet locking member 130 prevents axial movement of the stacking straw assembly 100. The cutter gear 44 and cutter tube 40 cannot move proximally due to contact with the stacking straw assembly 100 and cannot move distally due to contact with the probe union sleeve 26. By securing both the cutter gear 44 and the stacking straw assembly 100 in a full distal axial position, the disposable probe assembly 12 is aligned to engage the components of the reusable hand piece 11 as described below. Distal to the alignment locking slot 132, a rectangular recess 134, formed in the locking strip 118, defines a distal-most locking finger 136 for engaging components of the reusable hand piece 11 that positions the stacking straw assembly 100 as described below. In FIGS. 10-11, an indicator tube 150 has a stacked cone-shaped outer surface 152 (FIG. 11) that slides within the elongate straw 104 that in turn slides within the cutter tube 40.

An alternative sample retrieval approach (“proximal stacker”) is also described in the aforementioned patent application Ser. No. 11/198,558 that uses vacuum without a stacking straw 104 (not shown). In addition, a similar sample holding portion that does not use a stacking straw 104 for retrieval is described in five commonly-owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/953,834, “Biopsy Apparatus and Method”, END-5469; Ser. No. 10/953,904, “Improved Biopsy Apparatus and Method”, END 5470; Ser. No. 10/953,397, “Fluid Control for Biopsy Device”, END 5471; Ser. No. 10/953,395, “Biopsy Device with Sample Storage”, END 5472; and Ser. No. 10/953,389, “Cutter for Biopsy Device”, END 5473, all to Hibner et al. and filed on 29 Sep. 2004, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

It should be appreciated that with the benefit of the present disclosure, various configurations of internal and external vacuum holes may be incorporated into a probe consistent with aspects of the invention in order to achieve tissue prolapse, sample retrieval, and bleeding and fluid management. It should also be appreciated that the probe 13 defines first and second fluid passages that are separated longitudinally within the probe 13 and distally communicate with each other at the side aperture 34. In the illustrative version, the first fluid passage is defined within the cutter tube 40 and the second fluid passage is defined within the lateral lumen 32 that is “hard walled” apart from a cylindrical portion of the cutter lumen of the probe tube 35. However, for a cylindrical probe tube (not shown), a cutter tube may be axially offset within the cutter lumen of the probe tube such that the cutter tube may separate the first and second fluid passages, especially if the cutter tube need not be retracted for retraction of samples (e.g., vacuum retraction, straw retraction, single sample per insertion devices).

With reference to FIGS. 1-2, 13-15, the reusable hand piece 11, as described in previously cross referenced U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/198,558, includes four user controls aligned on a top surface 160 of the housing 20, specifically from most distal to most proximal: a forward motor rotation key 162, a reverse motor rotation key 164, a saline flush key 166 and a slide button 168 for selecting insertion mode or sample taking mode. The keys 162-166 control a control circuit 170, which may include integral power storage (e.g., batteries, fuel cell, etc.) for untethered use. With particular reference to FIG. 15, the forward motor rotation key 162 causes a DC motor 172 to rotate its motor output shaft 174 in a forward rotation. A slide spur gear 176 includes an internal keyed engagement with a longitudinal key groove 178 on the motor output shaft 174 that allows longitudinal positioning by the slide button 168. In particular, fore and aft brackets 180, 182 of the slide button 168 engage distal and aft annular grooves 184, 186 that flank spur gear teeth 188 of the slide spur gear 176.

When the slide button 168 is moved distally, the slide spur gear 176 engages a tissue penetration gear 190 that spins on a common shaft centerline 192 forward of a gearbox input gear 196. Gearbox input gear 196 consists of a distal small gear 198 and a proximal large gear 200. The tissue penetration gear 190 has spur gear teeth 206 that engage the slide spur gear 176. A frame post 212 projects proximally from an aft wall 213 of a frame 204 with a strike pin 214 projecting upwardly from the frame post 212. A circular cam wheel 216 is attached to a distal side of the tissue penetration gear 190. Rotating the tissue penetration gear 190 urges the strike pin 214, and thus the frame 204, proximally. Left and right spring cavities 218, 220 (when viewed from above), formed longitudinally in distal corners of the frame 204, respectively receive inwardly projecting left and right tabs 222, 224 (FIG. 1) from the housing 20 and receive left and right compression springs 226, 228. In particular, a distal end of each compression spring 226, 228 presses against a distal inner surface of the respective spring cavity 218, 220. A proximal end of each compression spring 226, 288 is grounded against a respective tab of the housing 20. Thus, the frame 204 is biased distally within the housing 20. Movement of the frame 204 proximally compresses these compression springs 226, 228 that thereafter assert a restoring force.

When the slide button 168 is moved proximally, the slide spear gear 176 is moved into engagement with the gearbox input gear 196, specifically the distal small gear 198, which engages and turns a translation large input gear 230 whose shaft 232 passes through the aft wall 213 of the frame 204. The proximal large gear 200 of the gearbox input gear 196 engages and turns a rotation small input gear 236 whose shaft 238 passes through the aft wall 213. The frame 204 includes a carriage recess 240, defined between a partition 242 and the aft wall 213. The carriage recess 240 contains longitudinally aligned left side lead (translation) screw 244 and right-side rotation spur gear 246 that are attached for rotation respectively with the shafts 232, 238. The partition 242 is positioned aft of the left and right tabs 222, 224 of the housing 20 and also defines in part the left and right spring cavities 218, 220. An unlocking cam 247 projects proximally from and is longitudinally centered on the aft wall 234 above the position of the lead (translation) screw 244 and rotation spur gear 246.

The rotation spur gear 246 engages the cutter gear 44 when the disposable probe assembly 12 is inserted, imparting a rotation as the cutter tube 40 and cutter gear 44 translate longitudinally in response to the rotation of the lead (translation) screw 244. This translation is caused by lead screw threads 248. In particular, a distal carriage (cutter carriage) 250 is longitudinally moved on the lead screw threads 248. Distal and proximal J-hook extensions 252, 254 project downwardly from the distal carriage 250 to engage the distal and proximal annular recesses 54, 56 of the cutter gear 44. Distal of the distal carriage 250, a biasing spring 256 urges against the distal carriage 250, which assists in engagement of the lead screw threads 248 with the distal carriage 250.

A sliding pin 260 has a proximal carriage sliding pin retainer 266 attached to a proximal carriage 258. A shaft 264 of the sliding pin 260 also passes through a distal carriage sliding pin retainer 270 attached to the distal carriage 250. Sliding pin 260 has a proximal end 262 and a distal end 268 to prevent the sliding pin 260 from disengaging from the carriage sliding pin retainers 266, 270. A sliding pin spring 272 resides on the sliding pin 260 and is constrained at each end by carriage sliding pin retainers 266, 270.

With the components of FIGS. 1-5 and 10-13 now introduced, a sequence of use of the biopsy device 10 will be described. The interfacing vacuum lumen 16 a is attached to the disposable probe assembly 12 (FIGS. 1-2). The disposable probe assembly 12 is installed into the reusable hand piece 11 (FIGS. 3, 13). In so doing, the distal cutter carriage 250 engages the cutter gear 44, the proximal straw carriage 258 engages the locking strip 118 of the stacking straw assembly 100, and the bayonet locking member 130 is deflected by the unlocking cam 247, longitudinally unlocking from the alignment locking slot 132 of the locking strip 118 allowing longitudinal movement of the cutter tube 40 and the straw stacking assembly 100.

With the biopsy device 10 assembled, the reusable handpiece 11 is manipulated to insert the piercing tip 38 of the core biopsy needle (probe) assembly 13 into tissue. Penetration of dense tissue is assisted by moving the slide button 168 distally to a “tissue insertion mode” wherein the slide spur gear 176 engages the tissue penetration gear 190. Depression of the forward motor rotation key 162 turns these gears 176, 190 causing the circular cam wheel 216 to turn against strike pin 214 that creates proximal longitudinal motion of frame 204 and the attached core biopsy needle (probe) assembly 13 of approximately 0.1 inch at a rotation rate of 7 cycles per second. Left and right compression springs 226, 228 provide the restoring distal longitudinal motion to frame 204 and probe assembly 28 as left and right compression springs 226, 228 are repeatedly compressed between the distal surface of the left and right spring cavities 218, 220 of the frame 204 and the left and right tabs 222, 224 of the housing 20. The restoring distal longitudinal motion to frame 204 and core biopsy needle (probe) assembly 28 result in a corresponding distal motion of piecing tip 38 that assists in penetrating tissue.

Bleeding and fluid management is enhanced by vacuum being drawn through the external vacuum holes 15 into the vacuum lumen 32. With reference to FIGS. 11 and 14, the external vacuum holes 15 reside within a protruding dimple structure 300 formed in the lateral lumen 32 which mitigates a tendency of adjacent tissue to be drawn into and plug an external vacuum hole 15. In addition, the cutter holes 39 formed in a distal end 41 of the cutter tube 40 assist in drawing fluid when the cutter tube 40 is advanced, otherwise closing the side aperture 34.

In FIG. 15, an alternate probe 13 a has a plurality of longitudinal rows of external vacuum holes 15 a. A cutter tube 40 a has a plurality of longitudinal rows of cutter holes 39 a for assisting in bleeding and fluid management. In addition, the exterior of a probe tube 30 a has some of the vacuum holes 15 a, in addition to those in a vacuum lumen 32 a, such that cutter holes 39 a in the cutter tube 40 a may readily communicate externally.

In FIG. 16, another alternate probe 13 b has a longitudinally spaced plurality of transverse external vacuum slots 15 b formed in a vacuum lumen 32 b but not a probe tube 30 b. A cutter tube 40 b also has a plurality of longitudinally spaced plurality of transverse cutter slots 39 b.

In FIG. 17, an additional alternate probe 13 c has a plurality of longitudinal external vacuum slots 15 c formed in both a vacuum lumen 32 c and a probe tube 30 c. A cutter tube 40 c also has a plurality of longitudinal cutter slots 39 c.

In FIG. 18, a further alternate probe 13 d has a plurality of parallel, spiraled external vacuum slots 15 d formed in a vacuum lumen 32 d but not a probe tube 30 d. A cutter tube 40 d also has a plurality of spiraled cutter slots 39 d.

In FIG. 19, yet another additional alternate probe 13 e has a plurality of longitudinal rows of reduced diameter external vacuum holes 15 e. A cutter tube 40 e has a plurality of longitudinal rows of reduced diameter cutter holes 39 e for assisting in bleeding and fluid management. In addition, the exterior of a probe tube 30 e has some of the vacuum holes 15 e in addition to those in a vacuum lumen 32 e such that reduced diameter cutter holes 39 e in the cutter tube 40 e may readily communicate externally.

In FIG. 20, yet a further alternative probe 13 f has a plurality of longitudinal rows of graduated diameter external vacuum holes 15 f-15 h in a probe tube 30 f, with the largest external vacuum holes 15 h most distal, the smallest external vacuum holes 15 f most proximal, and the mid-sized external vacuum holes 15 g in between. The cross sectional area of the holes 15 f-h are selected to correspond with a typical vacuum pressure drop as a function of longitudinal position on the probe tube 30 f, thereby tending to avoid the likelihood of higher vacuum proximally tending to suck in tissue.

In use, in FIG. 21, the probe 13 a is inserted into body tissue 304 with a hole formed by the piercing tip 38. The cutter tube 40 a is distally advanced to close the side aperture 34 in the probe tube 30 a to reduce tissue trauma during insertion. The stacking straw assembly 100 is retracted to an initial position. Vacuum assistance is present through both the cutter tube 40 a and the vacuum lumen 32 b during insertion, encouraging bodily fluids (e.g., blood) 306 to be drawn into external vacuum holes 15 a and additionally into cutter holes 39 a being drawn aft for collection, and with a sample retraction straw with internal indicator tube retracted exposing internal vacuum holes partially aligned with external vacuum holes. Bleeding closer to an external opening in skin tissue 308 that is not drawn into the probe 13 a is captured into the front absorbent material 19 a of the hemostatic disk-shaped ring pad 19 that encompasses and frictionally grips the probe 13 a.

In FIG. 22, the cutter tube 40 a is retracted, allowing vacuum assistance from both the cutter tube 40 a and vacuum lumen 32 a to prolapse tissue 304 into the side aperture 34 of the probe tube 30 a. In FIG. 23, distal advancement of the cutter tube 40 a has resulted in severing of a first tissue sample 304 a encompassed therein. In FIG. 24, the elongate straw 102 has been distally advanced within the cutter tube 40 a, which in the interim has been reciprocated another time, to encompass and capture the first tissue sample 304 a as well as a second tissue sample 304 b which has been severed in the interim by another reciprocation of the cutter tube 40 a. The presence of the tissue samples 304 a, 304 b in the elongate straw 102 extrudes aft the indicator straw 150.

In FIGS. 25-26, a sleeve 400 advantageously assists in bleeding control as well as enabling the taking of biopsy samples of a lesion 402 close to the surface wherein the side aperture 34 is partially exposed. A taper distal end 404 of a cylindrical tube 406 of the sleeve 400 may be longitudinally positioned by gripping a pushing a proximal disk flange 408. In FIG. 26, the sleeve 400 has been slid overtop of the exposed portion of the side aperture 34′ of the probe 13 f so that the cutter 40 a doesn't gouge skin as it translates from outside of the body across the side aperture 34′. The sleeve 400 may further plug the external opening in the skin to further reduce external bleeding, not only with its increased diameter of the cylindrical tube 406 but also by positioning a hemostatic ring 410. To that end, an absorbent ring 412 frictionally engages the cylindrical tube 406. To assist in positioning the absorbent ring 412, a rigid backplane 414 attached proximally to the absorbent ring 412 may be included for moving the hemostatic ring 412 into contact with the skin.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art given the benefit of the present disclosure that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Additionally, each element described in relation to the invention may be alternatively described as a means for performing that element's function.

For example, bleeding and fluid management may be enhanced by flushing the external vacuum holes 15 to remove tissue debris and coagulated blood, such as described in the co-pending and commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/344,879, “Biopsy Device with Replaceable Probe Incorporating Static Vacuum Source Dual Valve Sampling Stacking Retrieval and Saline Flush” to Hibner, filed 1 Feb. 2006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

For another example, in some applications a sleeve with a piercing tip or a sleeve with an open distal end closed by an introducer stylet (not shown) are used to penetrate tissue prior to insertion of a probe of a biopsy device for taking the biopsy samples. Consistent with aspects of the present invention, pneumatic fluid passages may be formed in the sleeve and/or introducer stylet that communicate proximally with a vacuum source for bleeding and fluid management. In addition, a hemostatic disc-shaped ring pad may be added to the sleeve to further assist in preventing or obscuring external bleeding.

As an additional example, while a fixed ratio translation/rotation cutter tube 40 is depicted herein, applications consistent with the present invention may not rotate the cutter tube or selectively rotate the cutter tube to present sampling holes to the side aperture or to a hole in an encompassing probe tube to assist in bleeding/fluid management. Rotating these holes to be blocked during other portions of the procedure may then enhance the available suction for retraction of a tissue sample, for instance. 

I/We claim:
 1. A biopsy device comprising: (a) a probe, the probe including: (i) at least one lumen, (ii) a distal piercing tip, (iii) a tissue receiving aperture spaced proximally of the tip of the probe, and (iv) a plurality of external vacuum passages extending through an outer surface of the probe, wherein the vacuum passages are spaced from one another, wherein the vacuum passages are spaced from the tissue receiving aperture; (b) a tubular cutter movable within a lumen of the probe, the cutter including: (i) a cutter sidewall, (ii) an open distal end configured for severing tissue received in the tissue receiving opening of the needle, and (iii) at least one passage extending through the cutter sidewall; and (c) a vacuum source communicating vacuum to the tissue receiving opening and the external vacuum passages.
 2. The biopsy device of claim 1, wherein the probe has a non-circular cross section.
 3. The biopsy device of claim 1, wherein the probe comprises a first lumen and a second lumen.
 4. The biopsy device of claim 3, wherein the tubular cutter is movable within the first lumen, and wherein the external vacuum passages are in fluid communication with the second lumen.
 5. The biopsy device of claim 1, further comprising at least one fluid passageway extending through a portion of the probe tip and opening on an external surface of the probe tip.
 6. The biopsy device of claim 1, wherein the probe further comprises: (i) a first lumen, (ii) a second lumen, (iii) a first plurality of external vacuum passages extending from the first lumen through an outer surface of the probe, and (iv) a second plurality of external vacuum passages extending from the second lumen through the outer surface of the probe.
 7. The biopsy device of claim 1, wherein the biopsy device is operable to communicate one or more severed tissue samples proximally through the cutter.
 8. A biopsy device comprising: (a) a tetherless handpiece; (b) a probe extending distally from the tetherless handpiece; and (c) a cutter movable with respect to the probe for severing tissue received by the probe; wherein the probe comprises a plurality of vacuum passageways extending through the outer surface of the probe; and wherein the biopsy device is operable to communicate one or more severed tissue samples proximally through the cutter.
 9. The biopsy device of claim 8, wherein at least some of the vacuum passageways extending through the outer surface of the probe are larger than others of the vacuum passageways extending through the outer surface of the probe.
 10. The biopsy device of claim 8, wherein the probe comprises a piercing tip.
 11. The biopsy device of claim 10, wherein the piercing tip comprises a plurality of openings extending through an outer surface of the tip. 